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Topic: Bringing Britain in Bloom to Swindon (Read 1590 times)

Its been a loooong time since I last posted on TalkSwindon, I have since moved to Marlborough, following work and then made that town my home, but I remain a Swindonian and I still think a lot of the town.... I haven't felt it appropriate to comment about what goes on as I don't live there anymore. But what I do know is that there remains a lot of unsung horticulturalist in the town that could do with some free recognition.

I don't know if anyone would be interested.... it's a long post but stick with me.

I was talking to a senior committee member of the Royal Horticultural Society (he was judging Marlborough for Britain in Bloom). He knew of my history with Swindon's open spaces and wanted to know why Swindon, with its rich history of parks and volunteering hadn't entered any areas entered and didn't seem at all interested.

We mulled the question of council funds etc.... That RHS in Bloom competitions are okay in rural settings, but that where they really want to be is in the cities and towns spreading the word about gardening. Its very much where they want to be.

I reminded him that there are still many deserving projects and sites in the town.

He felt that Wiltshire as a whole was a very successful county for gardening and horticulture, but that Swindon being the major population centre was woefully under represented in the in Bloom campaign.

So the question is this... with the Town council barely able to reach an adequate standard.... would the gardeners of Swindon like to be involved? Bypassing the council's apathy and being involved on a project by project basis.

The RHS who now run Britain in Bloom have a neighbourhood category. It costs nothing to enter and is supported by RHS funds.

All that is required is....

A horticultural project. This does not need to be big or flash.

Dedicated to a neighbourhood or small area Brings the community together Has community input and volunteers.

HELLO TO YOU AND THANKS FOR THE POST. I WOULD LIKE TO ASK IF THE FOLOWING SITE CAN BE LOOKED AT, AS A POSSIBLE CONTENDER:MY BROTHER AND A GOOD FEW OTHER LADS, HAVE TAKEN OVER ABOUT 5 PLOTS IN THE PICKARDS FIELDS ALLOTMENT SIE IN PINEHURST ROAD, AND TURNED IT INTO A COMMUNITY GARDEN AREA, THEY ARE GROWING ALL SORTS OF FLOWERS VEGTABLES EC, THEY ALSO ENCOURAGE VISITS FROM LOCAL SCHOOLS AND GROUPS TO DO GARDEN VISITS AND ALSO HELP TO EDUCATE THE CHILDREN ON HOW THINGS GROW. IT IS A VERY GOOD PROJECT AND HAS BEEN UP AND RUNNING NOW SINCE ABOUT LAST October.TERRY.